Thursday, April 28, 2016

There's an old saying, if you don't have anything nice to
say, don't say anything at all. Although that's probably much easier in theory
than in practice, the sentiment is still a good one. We've all said things that
we wish we could take back, or at least word-smith the language we used a bit. Even
presidential candidates in this current election cycle have fallen into this
trap, attacking their opponent's wives or making fun of certain mannerisms or personal
habits, seemingly forgetting that they are running for the most powerful
position in the world.

Choosing one's words carefully, with some thought to how we
say or even write something, can be easier said than done. But is it?
Self-editing by selecting the right word or phrase to convey a message or even
a feeling is a deliberate process. Just like great speakers have the ability to
process what they say, right before they say it, taking a moment to assess a response
before responding can give you a chance to measure and set the right tone in
the words you use.

Not sure you can do this? Try this method. If it's an email
you're responding to, write it in a voice that's conversational, as if you were
speaking face-to-face with the person you replying to. This will help you put
the right tone on the conversation, and probably limit any risk of
misinterpretation or worse, irritation, by the recipient. Most conversations
are civil, so there isn't a logical reason why emails shouldn't also be.

If you're involved in an actual conversation, which sadly is
becoming more rare these days thanks to technology, use the pause method to
think about the words you are going to say, instead of just blurting out a
rapid reply to the person you're talking to. It doesn't have to be a painful or
awkward pause (or so long that the other person begins to look for signs you
are still breathing), just a few seconds to gather your thoughts, choosing
words that indicate you've listened to what the other person said, and aren't being
dismissive. Whether you agree or disagree, opinions are opinions, and everybody
has them. Don't let an argument ensue, when a good, friendly give and take of
ideas can bring out the best in both participants.

Just like a badly played instrument, poorly handled
communications can ruin anyone's message. Why not treat every conversation,
written or spoken, like it's an opportunity to advance a discussion, or find a
solution to a problem? Despite our world of instantaneous and constant
communication, it's not a race. Take the time to think before you respond. What's
the worst that could happen? People call you a deep thinker?

Friday, April 22, 2016

If you’re like me and have children, you’ve probably seen
them migrate away from Facebook and Twitter to other social media apps. Let’s
face it, teens and young adults have led the way with social media for those of
us who are more “chronologically experienced.”

For many in the business world, it took some time, but most
have come to understand the social media is here to stay and it’s playing a
significant role. So with teens and younger adults now focused on Snapchat, is
that where your business needs to be?

For some, the first question is…“What is Snapchat?”

The definition of Snapchat is: “A messaging app allowing
users to send pictures and videos that will self-destruct after viewing. Users
can also add photos and videos to their My Story section, which can be view for
up to 24 hours. Text and graphics can be added to a photo before it is sent, as
well as interactive filters and doodles.”

Again, if you’re like me, you probably know all about the discussion
of whether Snapchat videos actually self-destruct or disappear after viewing.
We’ll leave that discussion for others.

Instead, let’s focus on that business use of Snapchat. As
Stephanie McCratic noted in a recent Public
Relations Tactics article, “the audience for Snapchat trends young and the
platform is an effective tool for reaching today’s much-sought-after consumer:
millennials.” Snapchat reports that 60 percent of 13 to 24 year olds in the
U.S. are using the app, with 71 percent of the users 34 and younger.

Many major companies are already reaching that younger
audience through Snapchat. McCratic cites Gatorade’s Super Bowl filter and a
Taco Bell campaign last Valentine’s Day as success stories.

So, should your business jump into Snapchat? Just as you
should for any other social media, marketing or PR effort, you’ll need to do
your homework. Is this a way to reach your already identified target audience?
Does it fit your brand? What are your goals? What resources will it take to
reach those goals?

Look for answers to those questions first, then decide if
Snapchat works for your company.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Spring has arrived and we all know what that means. No, it
doesn’t mean warmer weather, at least not this year for Wisconsinites. It means
if you haven’t already, you should be reviewing your 2016 marketing and PR plan
to ensure you’re on track with what you’ve outlined to accomplish this
year.

Doing so means assembling your marketing and communications
team or, if you’re a one person department, having a sit down with the company
president to review your plan. I’m sure the discussion will cover lots of
topics but there are five main questions you should focus on. They include:

What’s been accomplished to date?

What’s been successful and why?

What hasn’t worked and why?

What needs to be added, changed or removed from
the plan?

What new opportunities are available?

Of course, these questions will lead to additional
questions, but that is the whole point of the exercise. It’s to drill down to
truly understand if you’re marketing and PR plan is aligning with the goals of
the company.

Ideally, this type of review and planning meeting should
take place monthly or even weekly, depending upon your company’s culture and
the types of activities you’re promoting, but we all know that’s not always feasible.

That being said, it should be at least quarterly. Any longer
than that and you may have missed critical opportunities to make changes to the
plan, identify new opportunities or realize you’re right on target and it’s
time to celebrate!

I’d like to hear from you on how often your company reviews
its marketing and PR plan. Do you think it’s often enough or too often?